Comments about ‘Audit finds agencies fail to identify, repatriate Native American remains’

Repatriation does not mean return of artifacts and human remains from repositories to Native American entities.

Repatriation means acknowledgment of ownership. After items are repatriated, the rightful owners of the objects and human remains can choose their ultimate disposition.

In many cases, Native American entities have asked repositories to continue to store and care for artifacts and human remains, sometimes arranging for "checking out" of ceremonial objects for traditional uses, after which they are returned to the repository for continued storage and care.

Michael A. Lewis, Ph>d>